The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1887-10-22
MONROE, LOUISIANA, SATURDAY. OCTOBER %, 1887.
about it, but get we'll, and enjoy your

about it, but get we'll, and enjoy your
self"
80, Mary" cried Belle, "ysu utterly
astound me. What in the world did
you burn the will for: You have done
yourself injustice. l cannot and will
not submit to it..
GLOW can you help ~ asked Mary
with smile.
"What do you mean - asked Belle,
overwhelmed by this act of magnani-
NIFTY and GOODNESS"
81 mean,'' said Mary deliberately,
''ihat you are uncle's heir, and have
no right to supplant YOU"
81 will not have the property said
Belle.
"You must" answered Mary firmly.
81 have no claim to it; the will Is de-
stroyed."
"You have acted foolishiy," said
Belle.
No; have done exactly right. You
arc your uncle's heir according to law.
1 cannot consent to rob you. I never
could be happy again."
80, Mary, am so mean and selfish.
Your goodness surprises me. could
hoA " uOAS 90 SVu ss"S~s
"Yes, you could, dear Cousin, uuder
the same circumstances. Your uncle
formed wrong judgment Of your char
acter. You are not selfish by nature,
as told him, but you are kind, noble
and good"
go. Mary, how can you think Il?
"Because, can read your heart.''
"But have never done one thing, !"
said Belle with tears again gathering
in her eyes, ''to cause you to form such
Il good opinion Of me-"
"Whether you have or not, you will
in the future. You have been in such
trouble" said Mary gently, "that you
could not carry out the native tnclina-
tions of your heart. I am sorry you
did not tell me about your difficulties
sooner, so that you could have avoided
all this uneasiness and distress OF
mind.''
81 was afraid you would hate me-
said Belle.
81 censure you" replied Mary, with
a gentle reproach, "ior not having any
more confidence in me-"
"Foreive me, dear Cousin entreated
Belle, "for L could not think that you
were so much more of an angel than /
judged you too much by myself"
"Well, let us say no more about it
Quiet yourself, and prepare for tn,
struggle with this horrid disease"
80, dear Cousin, don't know wha
to say. Your nobility confuses me.
can scarcely believe what l have jus
seen. Anything Of this sort-l mea,
what you have done-is 80 foreign 4
my own nature that your conduc
amazes me. l cannot comprehend II
Can you forgive me-
"With all my heart,' replied Mary
"Heaven bless you,; exclaimed Bell
fervently. "If l get well l am gOin,
to try to be like you. feel now tina
1 would rather be good than rich.'
Under Nlary's careful and skilliu
nursing Belle safely passed the crisis
and in few weeks she was in the en-
tjoymcnt Of her usual health. Mary
like some others, passed through tn
epidemic without being touched by tn
horrid monster.
At last, one morning in October tn
welcomed frost was seen, and the peo
pie knew that the yellow 1iend hat
flown away. But in his dismal wax
he had left divided families and help
less orphans. There were opportunitie
for the exercise Of generosity and char
ity. But what became Of Belle? Sh
entrcated Mary to take possession c
her uncle's property, but all in vair
} Mary positively and firmly refused
Bellc then changed her frivolous way
} and habits, and she and Mary becam
noted for their deeds OF charity. The
went about over the little city of j
and Ionked after widows and orphans
many OF whom they clothed and fe
till permanent arrangements could b
made for them. They were like tw
Angels of Mercy whom the poor pee
pic blessed as they passed along tn
streets. Belle never knew happines
: before. Every year she expended tn
greater portion OF her income in deed
of benefcenQe, and thus turned her ur
cles curse into blessing.
. Five years after this epidemic ther
} was another, which was much nor
widespread and disastrous, for tn
| fever appeared in its most malignar
form. Belle and her mother, havin
had the disease, supposed there was n
probability OF their being attacked tt
| second time. What q fearful mistake
Both had it at an early day, and bot
l fell victims to its ferocity, Mary agai
. passed through it uuscathed. OF cours
t she fell heir to Major Bradleigh's pro-
erty. Two years. ..after these sad even
I Mary married worthy gentleman
0 j, and she is, at present, living {
"a t,,e